A heartbroken mother whose 18-year-old son was murdered wakes up screaming in the middle of the night from nightmares of seeing his lifeless body on the floor, the MEN reports. Michael Toohey, who was about to become a dad for the first time was killed inside an internet cafe after he was beaten to death on April 16 last year, a court heard.
Three brothers and their friend were all jailed for life at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday for the brutal murder of the teen along with a 14-year-old boy who notified them of his whereabouts. Michael's grieving family read out a statement in court which said his mother had arrived at the scene when paramedics were performing CPR on the teen.
They said: "Our mother cries constantly and refuses to leave her bed for days on end, often waking up screaming in the night, she has been diagnosed with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, due to the things she witnessed that fatal day. We have watched our mother and father deteriorate, from the fun-loving parents and grandparents, into the heartbroken souls they've become."
The murder which took place on London Road in Liverpool city centre last year was led by Keiron Williams, 28 who has been described as either the leader or near the top of an Everton-based organised crime group. The group are said to be involved in a 'turf war' with another gang, although the full facts of their rivalry are not clear.
Mr Toohey had taken a bus to London Road and arrived at around 5:30pm where he saw some friends and stopped to talk to them, the court heard. However, he didn't realise he was being watched by a 14-year-old boy who cannot be named due to his age.
The boy knew Keiron Williams was on the hunt for Mr Toohey and 'called in' the sighting to Williams' 25-year-old brother, Michael Williams. He then told the third brother, Anthony Williams who then called Keiron to let him know.
Those calls set in motion a gang attack that ended in the murder of Michael Toohey. Within minutes, Keiron Williams arrived on the scene in a white Golf and chased Mr Toohey who tried to cycle away before throwing his bike away and running into the Mobiles Junction internet cafe with Keiron Williams close behind him.
Meanwhile Anthony Williams, 32, and his friend, 32-year-old Steven McInerney, arrived on pedal bikes while Michael Williams also pulled up in a blue Ford Tourneo and all three ran into the shop after them. Mr Toohey was viciously assaulted and suffered horrific injuries as a result. A pathologist found multiple bruises to his head and neck caused by multiple blow, some with patterning consistent of footwear and concluded that his cause of death was blunt force trauma.
Judge Aubrey said he was satisfied on the evidence that Mr Toohey had been repeatedly stamped on and kicked to the head. In a victim impact statement read out in court, Michael’s family spoke of how his devastated mum was pleading with paramedics to save her son's life as he lay lifeless on the floor.
The statement said: "On 16th April 2022 our young child Michael Toohey was brutally beaten to death. We received a phone call and rushed to the scene; there we witnessed the most horrific thing that will haunt us for the rest of our lives.
"Michael was lying motionless with paramedics doing CPR. Our mother crying desperately and begging for them to save her young child.
“Michael was 18-years-old, the youngest of our family hence we call him our young child. He had his whole life ahead of him, he had a baby on the way.
"He had started to turn his life around, moved into a new home with his partner and working with his brother in-law. Michael was excited and making future plans for the arrival of his baby, wanting to leave the past behind him and focus on his future goals.
"We have watched Michael’s partner having to raise their baby boy on her own, as his daddy has been cruelly taken from him. Baby Michael Jr will never have that father and son bond, his daddy will not teach him to ride a bike, his daddy will not take him to football practice, all the things that a father and son should do together.
"That will not now happen, as our own young child was brutally beaten, and his life taken that day. Michael Jr must grow up and one day learn that his daddy was taken from him in the most unlawful way.”
Judge Aubrey sentenced the three brothers, Keiron, Anthony and Michael Williams to life in prison with a minimum of 18 years in prison. Steven McInerney was also handed a life sentence with a minimum of 18 years in prison.
The 14-year-old boy was sentenced to life in detention with a minimum term of eight years in prison. Detective Chief Inspector Stephen McGrath said afterwards: "Firstly, our thoughts are very much with the family of Michael Toohey who are devastated by what happened to their son, and it has been heart-breaking for them to relive Michael’s final moments during this trial.
"Since Michael’s murder, his family have suffered immeasurable grief and distress. Our specially trained family liaison officers have provided ongoing support to his family throughout the investigation and the subsequent trial.
"This successful prosecution has been achieved because of the collective determination of staff from a wide variety of specialist departments within Merseyside Police. I would like to say thank you to members of the public who have provided us with information at various points in the investigation.
"No parent expects to bury their child at the age of 18, and I can’t begin to imagine what Michael’s mother and father are going through. Prior to his death, Michael had taken a bus to meet friends on London Road when he was chased and viciously beaten inside an internet café.
"Today, five people were sentenced for his murder. His life was cruelly and senselessly taken away just as he was about to become a father. Now his child will grow up never knowing him."
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